Large scale effects of tidal energy in the Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier
Tidal energy will become much more important in the future renewable energy mix. In the Netherlands several tidal energy pilots are present. One of these locations is the Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier, which provides a unique location where tidal velocities are locally enhanced due to the presence of the barrier. Five turbines were installed in one of the openings of the barrier in 2015 by Tocardo.
The construction of the storm surge barrier has led to sand hunger within the basin and erosion of the tidal flats. The tidal flats are important for coastal protection, local ecology, recreation, shipping and fishery. Implementation of more turbines is expected to lead to an additional deterioration in tidal flat area, which is undesirable.
The research questions which have been formulated are:
- What predictions can be made on the influence of tidal energy extraction on the processes involved in tidal flat development based on scientific knowledge?
- How can a model be calibrated such that it accurately represents these processes to verify these predictions?
How can the momentum extraction due to tidal turbines adequately be parametrized such that there is a realistic representation of the change in hydrodynamics?
What are acceptable values for thrust forcing due to tidal turbines and their possible configurations for tidal flat erosion rates?
In which scenarios would the Tocardo turbines have acceptably small influences on erosion rates?
Currently literature review is still being performed
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